Manchester United won 1-0 against Real Sociedad in the Champions League, but it was not enough to win the group and avoid a further knockout round in the Europa League.
United needed to win by two clear goals to top the group.
Sociedad started the match on the right foot, eager to put the match, and the group, to bed.
It was the hosts who had the first shot of the half, it shot into the side net, but it would have been ruled offside anyway.
However, it was United who made the breakthrough! Fernandes headed Ronaldo, who passed a beautiful ball to youngster Alejandro Garnacho, who took a touch and then went past the goalkeeper for his first United goal.
Garnacho looked like a threat and had another chance. He fooled the defenders and sat them down, but he was thrown back when he took the shot that went over the crossbar.
Martinez was having a great game, winning all the aerial doubles and putting up some solid blocks.
About five minutes before halftime, the atmosphere intensified. Ronaldo chased down a loose ball and lobbed it over the keeper, but there was too much of it and it landed on the roof of the net.
At the other end, De Gea was forced to make two excellent saves, first diving to his right to deflect the initial shot before extending a hand while still on the ground to deny Sociedad a follow-up.
After the break, United were hungry for that all-important second goal, while Sociedad were torn between attacking and trying to equalize or falling behind and accepting a 1-0 loss but leading the group.
The chances were slim for both sides, but it was getting tough and the cards were being dealt.
De Gea easily scored a shot for Sociedad as Ronaldo was booked for having arms and the hosts were booked for wasting time.
However, time was running out for the Reds and it looked like they would face a team leaving the Champions League.
As the game faded, Ten Hag surprised us all by bringing in Maguire and putting him up front.
United had a chance, but as he circled the box, no one could get it out from under his feet.
It was all over for United and now they will have to face a Champions League side in February’s play-off.
Team: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof (McTominay 58), Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen (Fred 82), Fernandes, Van de Beek (Rashford 58), Garnacho (Maguire 82), Ronaldo
